Work on the stadium, the Deutsches Stadion ("German Stadium"), began in 1912 at what was the Grunewald Race Course. It was planned to seat over 18,000 spectators.[3] On 8 June 1913 the stadium was dedicated with the release of 10,000 pigeons. 60,000 people were in attendance.[4]

At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, organization continued as no one expected that the war would continue for several years. Eventually, though, the Games were cancelled.[5]